Bodhisatta Teaches the King: The Dangers of Speaking Out of Turn

In a distant kingdom, the Bodhisatta served as a wise advisor to the king. Renowned for his sagacity, he often found himself in a position to guide the king, who was known for his incessant chatter. The Bodhisatta believed that the king’s talkative nature needed correction but waited patiently for the right moment to address it.One day, while the king relaxed in his park beneath a mango tree, a crow had built a nest in its branches. Inside the nest lay a cuckoo egg, which soon hatched into a chick. The mother crow raised the cuckoo as one of her own until it prematurely uttered its first cry. The strange sound alerted the mother crow, who instinctively pecked the cuckoo to death and cast it from the nest. The lifeless bird fell at the king’s feet, prompting him to ask the Bodhisatta why such a tragedy had occurred.Seizing this opportunity to impart wisdom, the Bodhisatta explained that the cuckoo’s ill-timed call revealed its true identity, leading to its demise. He cautioned that anyone—be it human or animal—who speaks out of turn will ultimately face suffering as a consequence. Enlightened by this lesson, the king vowed to be more mindful of his words.

The Buddha’s Reflection

In later years, during the lifetime of the Buddha, this story took on profound significance. The young cuckoo was identified as Cula Kokalika, a greedy disciple of the Buddha. Sariputta and Moggallana, two of the Buddha’s foremost disciples, had once spent a rainy season at Cula Kokalika’s home with strict instructions not to disclose their presence to others. Once their retreat concluded, Cula Kokalika boasted about hosting them, prompting villagers to gather food and offerings for the revered monks.However, Sariputta and Moggallana refused to accept these gifts, angering Cula Kokalika. His frustration grew when they passed through his town again during an alms pilgrimage and received enthusiastic donations from the locals without sharing any with him. In his rage, Cula Kokalika insulted them for their perceived greed.Eventually, Sariputta and Moggallana chose to leave town rather than endure his insults. The villagers pleaded for their return but could not change their minds. They urged Cula Kokalika to rectify his mistakes; otherwise, he would have to leave town himself. Fearing exile, he attempted to persuade them but failed.Desperate and angry, Cula Kokalika went to the Buddha’s monastery and began to slander Sariputta and Moggallana before the Buddha himself. Despite being rebuked for his inappropriate words, he continued his tirade until painful boils erupted on his body. One of his former teachers descended from heaven to advise him to reconcile with the elders, but he remained stubbornly attached to his anger. Ultimately, he died and was condemned to hell.When the Buddha learned of Cula Kokalika’s downfall from discussions among his disciples, he recounted this story to illustrate that this was not the first time Cula Kokalika’s own words had led to his destruction.Moral: This tale conveys that timing and mindfulness in speech are crucial; speaking out of turn can lead to dire consequences. It emphasizes that words hold power and can either build relationships or destroy them. By practicing restraint and thoughtfulness in our communication, we can avoid unnecessary suffering and foster harmony in our interactions with others. Understanding this principle helps cultivate wisdom and compassion in our daily lives.